Awana to launch new US Latino Child Discipleship Network

STREAMWOOD, Ill. — Awana, a non-profit ministry and the global leader in child discipleship, today announced a new ministry to reach the fastest growing demographic in American Christianity through U.S. Hispanic churches.

According to Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, “more than two-thirds of the 52 million-plus Latinos in the U.S. are Catholic, and that number could be cut in half by 2030.” It’s estimated that over 35 percent of Hispanics in America now consider themselves “born again” Evangelicals.

With the new U.S. Latino Child Discipleship Network, Awana is poised to help churches reach and disciple children by forming regional and local networks of churches and Christian leaders who share the same passion and affinity of child discipleship. The ministry anticipates it will have Awana ministries active in over 2,500 Hispanic churches by the year 2023, adding to its more than 54,000 current programs worldwide.

“As the U.S. Latino Evangelical community continues to grow and thrive, we want to listen and understand, as well as share our child discipleship expertise, in order to empower communities to do the effective work of the ministry,” said Awana president, Matt Markins. “This is an audacious, God-sized vision, but it’s a vision that causes us to see every child the way Jesus sees them – special, unique and valuable. There is no child in the world who is beyond the reach of Jesus, and we want to do more to reach children in the Latino communities in the U.S.”

Awana is now conducting a national search for a national ministry director, who will head up the U.S. Latino Child Discipleship Network. The national ministry director’s primary role will be to identify, develop and form partnerships with networks and/or denominations who share the vision of reaching and discipling children in Jesus’ name. This is a decentralized leadership role and will not be required to be based out of their Chicago-land headquarters. As a children’s ministry partner, Awana brings 70 years of expertise in casting vision and equipping leaders and volunteers, as well as offering a variety of discipleship solutions and programs.

“We know that the kids in our churches and communities today will live in a future world that will look very different for Christ followers. Unfortunately, many churches are not preparing for this,” said Markins. “Awana is actively equipping leaders who are discipling kids all over the world. We want to share our vision and inspiration by equipping and empowering churches, pastors and leaders in the Hispanic community who share this passion.”

For more information about the U.S. Latino Child Discipleship Network ministry launch and the national ministry director job posting, please visit Awana.org/Latino.

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About Awana:
Awana, a nonprofit 501(c)3, is a global leader in child discipleship that reaches and engages 4.3 million kids each week in 122 countries. As an equipping and resourcing ministry, Awana serves 54,000 churches worldwide and mobilizes over 450,000 leaders and volunteers who are reaching and discipling kids for Christ. For more information, visit awana.org.